Question 68·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Paleoclimatologist Henry Dolan argues that annual growth rings in old-growth bristlecone pines are an accurate thermometer of past climate. According to Dolan, wider rings indicate warmer years because higher temperatures accelerate the trees’ metabolic processes, allowing them to lay down more wood during the growing season.
Text 2
Recent field studies of bristlecone pines suggest that the width of a ring is influenced by several interacting variables, including soil moisture, nutrient availability, and sunlight, none of which correlate perfectly with air temperature. Indeed, some years with cool, wet conditions produce rings as wide as those formed in warmer years. Consequently, while ring width can contribute to paleoclimate reconstructions, it cannot be treated as a stand-alone indicator of historical temperature.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to Dolan’s argument, as described in Text 1?
For cross-text questions, first summarize each author’s view in one simple sentence, focusing on what they say about the specific claim in the question. Then decide whether the second author would agree, disagree, or partly agree but qualify the first author’s view. Finally, eliminate choices that (1) introduce ideas or topics not mentioned in either text, (2) exaggerate the tone (such as strong praise or harsh criticism) that you don’t see in the passage, or (3) change the focus from the key issue (here, temperature and ring width) to something else. Choose the option that most accurately captures both the content and the attitude of Text 2 toward Text 1.
Hints
Restate each author’s main point
First, in one short sentence, say what Dolan (Text 1) believes about ring width, and then in another short sentence, say what the author of Text 2 believes about it.
Focus on the conclusion in Text 2
Look closely at the final sentence of Text 2: does the author completely accept, completely reject, or qualify the idea that ring width reflects past climate?
Watch out for new or exaggerated ideas
Eliminate any answer choices that bring in topics or criticisms that neither text mentions directly, such as shifting the discussion to something other than temperature or introducing strong praise or blame that doesn’t match the tone.
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify Dolan’s claim in Text 1
Read Text 1 and restate Dolan’s position in your own words.
- Dolan says tree-ring width is an accurate thermometer of past climate.
- He connects wider rings with warmer years, because higher temperatures speed up metabolism so the tree grows more wood.
So Dolan is treating ring width as a direct, reliable indicator of past temperature.
Identify the main point of Text 2
Now focus on what Text 2 says about ring width.
Key points from Text 2:
- Ring width is influenced by several interacting variables (soil moisture, nutrients, sunlight), not just temperature.
- These variables don’t correlate perfectly with air temperature.
- Some cool, wet years produce rings as wide as warm years.
- Conclusion: ring width “can contribute” to paleoclimate reconstructions, but “cannot be treated as a stand-alone indicator” of historical temperature.
So Text 2 is more cautious: ring width is somewhat useful, but not by itself.
Determine how Text 2 would respond to Dolan
Compare the two views directly:
- Dolan: ring width is an accurate thermometer (sounds stand-alone and strongly reliable for temperature).
- Text 2: ring width is influenced by many factors and cannot be used alone as a temperature indicator.
This means the author of Text 2 would partly agree that ring width is informative, but would push back against Dolan’s idea that it is a simple, stand-alone temperature measure.
Match that relationship to the answer choices
Now test each option against what you just figured out:
- The correct choice must show partial agreement (ring width has value) plus the idea that it shouldn’t be used alone.
- It must not introduce new topics that the texts don’t discuss.
Option A says ring width is useful only when combined with other environmental data, which matches Text 2’s conclusion that ring width can contribute but cannot be a stand-alone indicator.
Correct answer: A) By acknowledging that ring width is a useful indicator only when combined with other environmental data.